Jean Ann Zavoda

With heavy hearts full of love and sorrow, we remember Jean Ann Zavoda, 86, who gained her wings on February 3, 2025. A rare and beautiful soul, Jean’s incomparable light shone on all whose lives she touched. She shared her love with so many and will forever live in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, family, and friends. 

Jean was born in Weymouth, England on May 12, 1938, to Sidney and Elizabeth Holland. She grew up in the countryside with her sisters, Daphne and Valerie, and brothers, Graham and Victor. At the tender age of 18, she was engaged to her first love, Carl Chain, Sr., and made the courageous decision to take a 19-day solo journey across the Atlantic to be wed and begin their new life together in America. 

Jean is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Maust, son and daughter-in-love, David and Stephenie Pharr, granddaughter, Chelsea Richards, grandson, Piers Leighton, sisters, Daphne Haas and Valerie Lynn, brother, Graham Holland, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins all over the world. She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Carl Chain, Jr., husband, John Zavoda, and brother, Victor Holland.

Jean was an excellent cook and relished in hosting family holidays and gatherings, making her signature roast dinners and Yorkshire puddings. She was an avid gardener and was in her element tending to her flower and vegetable gardens and making her home beautiful. Jean never met a stranger and had a unique ability to make meaningful connections out of even the most fleeting encounters. 

Jean was blessed with three beautiful children Carl, Stephanie, and David and two wonderful grandchildren, Chelsea and Piers. Anyone who knew Jean knew she loved cooking, baking, traveling, and reading and instilled that love in her children, but most importantly, in her grandchildren. As she took her grandchildren on different adventures, she always cherished being able to return to the UK with them and to share stories and traditions. As most know, Jean and Chelsea were two peas in a pod and inseparable, sharing the same interests and headstrong personalities. Jean was happiest surrounded by her family and her most treasured times were when they were together. 

She was kind, generous to a fault, fiercely loyal, unflaggingly stubborn, and, of course, always right. She was the matriarch of our family, the glue that held us fast, and she will be deeply missed, richly remembered, and forever cherished. 

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 1pm at St. James Episcopal Church, 156 N Monroe St, La Grange, TX 78945. 

Services are under the Care and Direction of Fayette Memorial Funeral Home of La Grange Texas. Please visit www.fayettememorialfuneralhome.com to share memories and leave your condolences for the family.